Guide Note

Sukkot is a Jewish holiday that begins on the 15th of Tishri, according to the Hebrew calendar. Over the course of seven days, observers of this holiday construct temporary houses known as sukkahs in which they take their meals, pray and receive guests. Sukkot is a festive holiday that follows the fasting of Yom Kippur.

Fast Facts

1. AKA:Festival of Ingathering, Succoth, Feast of Booths, Sukkos, Feast of Tabernacles¹
2. Date: Tishri 15th¹
3. Begins five days after Yom Kippur¹
4. The Four species: Lulav, Hadass, Aravah, Etrog¹
5. Last of the Jewish pilgrimage festivals¹
6. "Sukkot" is Hebrew for "booths"¹
7. Commemorates the "clouds of glory" that Jews believe were miraculously provided by God as they wandered in the Sinai Desert for forty years²
8. 2008 Sukkot: Sunset October 13 - dawn October 20¹

As a part of the Sukkot festivities, observers are required to use four different plant species as a part of a blessing ritual. The four species are a date palm branch, a willow branch, a myrtle branch and a citron. The species are waved in a specific pattern during prayer to symbolize the unity of Jews around the world.¹